Anambra Assembly Flags Drainage Abuse on Road Projects

|By Emmanuel Chigbata

The Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Infrastructure has expressed concern over the indiscriminate discharge of domestic wastewater into public drainage channels, warning that the practice poses a significant threat to the sustainability of ongoing road infrastructure projects across the state.

The committee raised the concern during an oversight inspection of the ongoing 1.8-kilometre interlocking road and drainage project at Iyiowa Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government Area.

The contractor handling the project, Engineer Jack Afara, said residents had continued to channel wastewater from their homes into public drains, resulting in early siltation of the drainage system despite the project being at an advanced stage of construction.

He warned that although the practice might not immediately affect the interlocking pavement, it would eventually obstruct the free flow of water, accelerate the deterioration of drainage infrastructure and reduce the lifespan of the road.

Afara urged property owners to construct functional soakaway systems within their premises instead of connecting wastewater outlets to public drains. He also called on residents and community leaders to sustain regular environmental sanitation to protect public infrastructure.

Speaking during the inspection, the Chairman of the House Committee on Works and Infrastructure said the visit formed part of the committee's constitutional oversight responsibility to assess the quality, pace and compliance of ongoing road projects being executed by contractors across the state.

He expressed satisfaction with the standard of work on the Iyiowa Odekpe project, noting that the interlocking pavement, drainage channels and other engineering components met acceptable specifications.

The committee also inspected the ongoing school road project in the area, where contractors identified indiscriminate dumping of refuse and wastewater into drainage channels as a recurring challenge affecting infrastructure maintenance.

At Igbariam, the lawmakers inspected ongoing road maintenance and rehabilitation works, acknowledging the complexities involved in restoring deteriorated roads. 

They, however, commended the contractors for the progress recorded despite the difficult condition of some sections of the road.

The committee reiterated the need for stronger public awareness and greater community participation in protecting public infrastructure, stressing that road projects can only achieve their intended lifespan when complemented by responsible environmental practices.